John Anthony Flanagan (born 22 May 1944) is an Australian fantasy author best known for his medieval fantasy series, the Ranger's Apprentice series, and its sister series, the Brotherband Chronicles. Some of his other works include his Storm Peak duology, as well as the adult novel The Grey Raider. Early life and careers [ edit ]

Objectively, there's not much wrong with The Caldera. It's got most of the requirements for a good adventure novel: a dangerous enemy (or two), dangerous surroundings, and a healthy dose of highly competent characters to contend with the first two things. The writing is on par with the rest of the Brotherband Chronicles - a bit utilitarian, but competent and able to juggle numerous characters well. I saw “Captain America: Winter Soldier” by myself in the theater, as I do many movies. With work schedules and the kid’s various clubs and events in the way, it’s easier for me to carve out a solo window of time and sneak off to see the comic book movies that I love so much. “Winter Soldier” is still the best of the Marvel films, to me. I remember vividly that when that movie ended, I was hit with the biggest wave of depression. The Germans call it “weltschmerz”—the depression that comes from seeing how the world is, and knowing how it should be. Chris Evans was so good as Captain America, that I wanted Captain America to be real, and I wanted Chris Evans to be that guy. I wanted someone to be that positive, that good, that pure. I felt like America—no, the world needs beacons of positivity and goodness like that. Too often, we get dragged down into the darkness and cynicism, so we need things that will give us that uplift our souls so desperately crave, even if they are fictional. This is why I always look forward to the next John Flanagan book.Nice to see Heron ii. Longer on the waterline. Faster. Helm protection. Does this boat have a rudder or a wheel?? Prior version had a tiller. Not to worry, for Hal is still amazing. Wait’ll you read about the pirate chase and the Heron “surfing” that wave. I did wish I could have been aboard then!

One of them is that Maddie has a reason to be there. This is probably the single thing that has bothered me the most about the most recent Brotherband books - they don't have any real reason they can't walk away from the problem. In the earlier Brotherband books, there was always something convincingly keeping them tied to the plot. First it was chasing Zavac to make up for their own mistake, and then they were acting in their professional capacity as the duty ship stationed in Araluen. But since they returned from Araluen at the end of Scorpion Mountain, their only reason for getting engaged in the various plots amounts to some combination of boredom and a taste for adventure. It's not a very compelling reason for the Herons to get involved - or stay involved - in the plot. Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice is a favorite series, yet while RA was written for the same age group as Brotherband, the two series are worlds apart in style, strength of story, strength and depth of character, and tightness of writing. The omniscient point of view was successful in RA, not so much in Brotherband; we even know what Kloof, Hal's dog, was feeling/experiencing at one point in The Caldera, which was a bit much for me.The overall story was good, but it should have been promoted as a Maddie story. Will is only in it for a few paragraphs at the beginning and end (which are there just to send him away). So while I enjoyed the story overall, I was a little disappointed because I had been looking forward to seeing them in action TOGETHER. Obviously, I thought it was good, even if it is less exciting than previous stories in the series. It’s taking Hal’s abilities for granted, showing off how well-practiced are the crew. But it does demonstrate that Hal isn’t always perfect, but very willing to think again.

It had been a while since I had last read about Hal and his crew. After hearing about the latest entry that came out a few years ago, I decided to finally see what I was missing. The result was another okay, but interesting quest.But the giant assassin isn’t the only threat they will face. There is a seaside battle looming, and the Herons are called upon to help an old friend of Araluen in his fight. Trapped in an unfamiliar land, their forces split between searing hot land and treacherous seas, can the Herons complete their mission – before the killers find their royal target? Will Treaty is all grown up now and mentoring Maddie as an apprentice. Tug is his horse, and Sable is still his dog. Trained as a scribe at the same time as Will trained as a Ranger apprentice, George is now head librarian and historian at Castle Redmont.